Modification of gradient winds by dissected topography in the vicinity of the Jonkershoek Valley

• Main Author: Ngeleza, Eric B
• Other Authors: Washington, R
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Environmental and Geographical Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13420

Includes bibliography. === The pilot balloon runs and synoptic charts show that mountain and valley winds at the Jonkershoek valley correspond with the west to east ridging of anticyclones over the South Western Cape. Saddles between the South Atlantic and South Indian anticyclones are particularly conducive to the development of well established local wind circulations at Jonkershoek. Gradient winds during the occurrence of saddles are shown to be light and variable. Deep gradient southeasterlies undergo an acceleration to the lee of the ridges resulting in strong airflow at the Jonkershoek valley bottom. The topography at Jonkershoek is shown not have any meaningful modifying effect on the gradient northwesterlies.